Bottle-closure.



W. E. GASTON.

BOTTLE CLOSURE. APPLICATION FILED DEC-11.19M-

1 $376,343 a Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

WILLIAM E. GASTON, 0F TORRINGT ON, CONNECTICUT.

BOTTLE-CLOSURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 11, 1915. Serial No. 66,238. f

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. GAs'roN,

a citizen of the United States, residin in Torrington, in the county of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bottle- Closures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to that class of bottle-closures in which the sealing effect is secured by the use of, or in connection with, a plurality of concentric bearings, or packing zones; and the invention is in the nature of an improvement in the bottle closure described in Letters Patent of the United States 'No. 1,123,206, granted to me December 29, 1914; and also in the improved bottle-closures described and claimed in my copending allowed application Serial No. 875,213, filed December 3, 1914, to which reference may be had. A principal object of my present improvements, (which are in part shown and described in my said copending application), is to furnish a closure of the class described, having the concentric packing-zones, or sealing-pressure zones, arranged in an improved organization of the closure-members, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawing accompanying and forming apart of this specification, Figure l is a side elevation of a bottle closure made in' accordance with my present improvements. I

F ig..2 is a plan view of the closure, as seen from above in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to the left-hand portion of Fig. 1, but much enlarged, for more clearly illustrating certain features of the closure, and showing an intermediate stage of the setting operation.

. Fig. 4 is a similar vertical central sectional view, showing the closure completed, at the end of the setting operation.

Fig. 5 is a diagram similar to Fig. 7 in my said copending application, and is illustra-.

tive of the lines of force between certain points and members in the completed closure, for more fully explaining the mode of operation thereof.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4, and is a diagram for illustrating certain features of the cap and packing members, and the kinematical 0r operative relations of the several parts of the closure.

Fig. 7 isa sectional view corresponding to Fig. 4, and illustrates a modification in which the packing arrangements atthe inner packing-zone, are analogous to the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 of my said copending application.

Flg. 8 is an enlarged diagrammatic view supplementary to, and in the main corresponding to Fig. 6, for more fully illustrating the mode of action of the closure under certain varyin conditions, as hereinafter more fully exp ained.

Fig. 9 is a detail view,mainly a reproduction of the left-hgid portion of Fig. 6,- for illustrating the normal stability on the bottle top,-of the outer ring-like portion of the cap M, when and if the inner bearin zone, 20, of the cap should be removed.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the views. 1

In my present invention,-as in my said inventions disclosed in prior applications,-- the bottle closure operates in accordance with the principle of augmenting the seal ing effect by reducing the area and thereby increasing the intensity of the high-pressure contact; and, also, by dividing this high-pressure area into a plurality of relatively non-contiguous, narrow and concentr1c bearing-zones which are the sealingpressure zones; so that the principal part of Patented Aug. 20,1918.

the total stress or pressure exerted upon the bottle face is concentrated upon a relatively small area and is therefore of a relatively greater intensity and consequent higher. sealing-effect, than would otherwise be the case.

The application of my improved. closure to bottles of the style of formation herein illustrated, may be made by means of instrumentalities which are already wellknown and readily adaptable to the form of cap-member herein described, and therefore I have not deemed it necessary to herein illustrate or particularly describe the same.

In the drawings, my improved closure is shown applied to a well known form of bottle-top, B, having a top-face, as C, which, in section, is of a well known non-circular form. and also having the lock-face, or lookrim, Z. The cap is designated in a general way by M, and is herein shown provided with a depending outer flange N which surrounds the crown diskand is preferably furnished at its lower edge with some suitable retaining means, as for instance, the

lock-rim-engagin I locking-on of the cap is efiected in a wellknown manner by closing in the lower edge of the flange N to a smaller diameter during the pressing down of the cap, so that the indents or hooks, r, are engaged directly under the rim or face Between the bottle face C and cap M, a packing member D, (see Figs. 3, to those other members in a peculiar manner, which I will now, by the aid of the sectional-views and diagrams, more fully describe.

The packing-face C, (Fig. 3) may be considered as comprising a medial or top-zone d, (Fig. 4) located between the outer, annular bearing-zone b and the inner, annular bearing zone 6 in Figal, and 6, these two bearing zones are distinguished by shaded portions. The zone 6 inclines downwardly and outwardly, while the zone 5 is shown with little if any inclination inwardly from said medial zone (I. Said outer zone, 6 is also shown solocated on the outer side of the bottle-face, C, that the fully applied packing member D, may be said to have an outward wedging action while pressed upon the annular bearing-zone or surface 6 (See Fig. 6).

The cap and packing member being first assembled on the bottle top and pressure being then suitably applied over the crown or top of the cap and to the flange U thereof, the said closure members are. gradually forced downward and reshaped from their initial positions to the successive positions illustrated, respectively, in Figs. 3 and 4'. During this progressive operation, the com pression applied to the inner packing-zone 2 of the member D, (Fig. 3), begins the formation of the pressure-ring or zone, n" in and of the substance of this member and directly above and against the bearing zone 6 as indicated in Fig. 4. On continuing this cap-setting operation, the outer-zone .2, Fig. 3, is similarly formed into the outer pressure-ring, M, Fig. 5. p

The cap M when provided with the rimgripping flange N, has this flange of a depth sufiicient for engaging under the bottle-rim at is, and for then extending upwardly and over the relatively thin packing-zone 2 of the packing-member D. while the crown disk or top m of the cap (Fig. 3) is adapted to be drawn down or reformed by the setting- 7), is located for coacting with ing or pressure into an elevated annular bearingdisk m- (Fig. 4) and thus impart to the a considerable initial space at S, Fig. 3,

which space is progressively reduced somewhat in the succeeded stages of the settingoperation, as indicated at S in Figs. 5 and 6.. Thus the initial provision in the cap of a zone at m adapted to be re-formed sub stantially as set forth during and by the setting operation, also provides for beginning the formation of the pressure-ring a well in advance of the formation of the pressurering 71 as indicated in Fig. 4.

During the formation of'the inner pressure-ring n", (Fig. 3), and until this formation is well advanced for driving downwardly the central portion of the disk D, the outer zone, 2 is still free of any substantial compressive force, and is therefore readily conformable to the conditions produced by the described forcing action.

But later, aftersaid inner ring n is nearly formed, the cap zone on draws down upon 1 l the outer edge of said zone 2 and by a sliding and compressive action thereon forces said packing zone or flange against the bearing-line b and thus draws and forms said zone or flange 2 outwardly and downwardly, (see Fig. 5).

This peculiar action when properly performed, has the effect, in practice, of first seating the packing disk firmly against the inner corner-zone or bearing 6 then dllaw wrapping that disk over the medial zone (1 of the face C, and finally seating the outer edge 2 firmly against said outer bearing-line b Thus the said pressure'rings, n and 11. are begun in succession but are completed substantially simultaneously. In this operation the packing-disk D is subjected simultaneously to the sealing-pressure and to a diametrical contraction from a larger initial dimension; this tends to produce an inwardly sliding action between the contracting surfaces of the sealing-diskand the bottle face, and thus tends to draw the sealing sheet. as D.while under an increasing pressure, into a perfect fit or contact over the whole area of the contacting surfaces. but having said mid-zone'portion of the disk or sealing sheet with any material amount of compression.

The diameter desirable for the disk D, in

Y wrap down over the bearing 6 will usually order that its outer zone 2 may properly be such as to make this disk edge implnge within the flange N of the cap M, when the parts are assembled ready for setting. Such an initial excess-diameter of the zone 2 over the inside diameter of the flange N, provides a convenient means for a prior assembling of the caps M and disks D, so the closure device may be handled by the bottling operators, and in machines, as a single article, and also may besupplied to the trade in that complete form, as explained in my said copending application. In practice, the disks D may be made of various kinds of sheet material according to the service required, as may be readily ascertained by trial in any particular instance.

lVhen used for packing liquids, the sealing-- member D may have on the underside thereof a thin protecting coating of suitable material; or said disk D may have applied thereunder a thin sheet of resistant material, as set forth, for instance, in my said Pat ent No. 1,123,206. For the more common uses, the closure-disk D may be madeof some one of the fiber-stock sheet-materials now well known in this art as being-suitable for use in bottfle-closures. Said disks, however, are pre erably made of a material which is slightly, but only slightly, moldable under the pressure of the cap, for thereby more effectively graduating the sealing action throughout the circuit of eachvof the concentric bearing-zones.

The operation of the closure members as between each other and the bottle-top, gives focal points or bearing points and lines-ofanchorage point 3 (on'the face is) in the diagram, Fig. 5,the tension line, or line .of force, 4, may be considered as extending directly upwardly-to the outer focal point. 5, which is located on a line Z which is about vertical to the surface of the outer bearing-zone 6 this hearing line or surface then forms the basis of resistance against the further inward movement, or downward movement, of the said focal point 5. The tension line next turns toward the upper focal point 7, as indicated at 6, the point 7 being on a line, 8, extending downwardly to the inner bearing line or zone 6 from the point 7 the tensionline, as 9, extends directly across the closure and connects at the point 7 with the similar system of triangulation lines on the opposite side of the closure. Thus the triangulations on opposite sides, respectively of the closure, when observed in a sectional view, to ether constitute a system in which an "e ective balance of the described opposing forces is obtained. In the present instance, however,

that system of coaction is combined with and supplemented by a further and peculiar arrangement of coacting features which are chine or tool. This tendency and mode of.

action iscompensated for, in the closureconstructions shown in my said patent and in said copending application, by means of combinationstherein described and claimed; but in my present invention I have provided a further improvement, and one ha ing a different or modified mode of action, whereby not only to improve the seal- 7 ing effect, but also to compensate and guard against any injurious results otherwise arising from such retractive tendency. From these explanations and a comparison of the aforesaid diagrams as described,it'will now be evident that while the complete closure when fully applied, may be regarded as a static device,- as compared, for instance with a mechanical movement orlike operative device, -nevertheless the forces set into. action as between the. difi'erentm'em bers or component portions,- in the finished or closed-on cap, are active forces in the sense that said forces continue in a ready-toact state, so that on any moderate yielding taking place in' any part, other partsinstantly become active and so move and readjust themselves, and thereby continue the closure in an efi'e'ctive condition.

The annularouter portion of the ca M,

comprising the part N, the zone m an the V clamp-ring of a special character, and this wall or zone to, may be regarded (when applied as in Figs. 4 and 6) as constituting a whether or not a center zone, as M shall be omitted from the cap M; in Fig. 2, such a central area. is indicated within and by the dotted circle 12, and, in Fig. 4, by the line 12. Considering, now, some assumed) radially-disposed portion of such clamp-ring, as for instance the part F, between-the radial dotted lines in Fig. 2, itvwill be obvious that this art F is shown in section iff'Figi 4, at the eft-hand of the line 12. And in the preferred construction here illustrated of said clamp-ring portion of the cap M, it will be seen that by reason of this construction, in the combinations herein set forth, said portion F engages over the bottle-top and packing-member D in such a manner as to constitute, in eflect, a kind of itself and remain in place, and thus, at a clamp so arranged as to normally act by with such relatively large bottles as now' resisted by continue to hold the sealing-sheet or packing, D, securely in place. By this means, ll am able to seal the bottle-top by a combination of clamping efi'ects resulting from two systems or kinds of action, one being general, as illustrated by the kinematical relations, as in Fig. 5, while the other involves a continuous circuit of local clamping-increments, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

The closure cap-zone E (Fig. 4) comprises the outer zone m and the inner zone w, (which is shown inclined relatively to the axis of the bottle top, and also transversely non-convex), arranged with an intermediate zone, as m of a suitable width, which usually will depend somewhat on the width, radially of the closure, of the bottle-face itself. Tn some instances, and especially commonly used for sealing-up and storing milk and beverages, the middle zone m may properly be regarded as consisting of from one-fourth to one-half of the diametrical width of the zone 972 As shown in said diagram Fig. 6, the pressure on the inner packing-zone n is a combination of forces which diverge from the-point, 2, and which are substantially indicated by the dotted lines .9

and h, of which the line of force 9 extends between the anchor-line, 3, and said inner point 2;, while the line of force it extends from the same inner point 2 to the outerzonepoint 5. These two outer points 3 and 5. being now connected by the line f, the dotted triangle is thus formed of lines g, f and h, and is located with the angles thereof at 2. 3, and 5, thus indicating by a diagrammatic representation, how the principal stresses are arranged, or located, and the relatively intricate mode of action by which the complete result is obtained. Also,

this diagram supplements the other views as regards the manner in which the forces acting upon the inner line or zone at b, are or may be balanced or resisted by two resistance lines, or zones, one of which is the anchorage line at 3, directly on the bottle top B, while the other is on an outer zone, as M, of the same sheet-form packing member which,in another part thereof,is compressed on the said inner-zone b by the described coaction of diverging lines of stress or force. The diagram Fig. 6 also further illustrates by the aid of said tri angle 9, f, h, .how any radially-disposed segmental portion of the cap,- within the zone E of the clamp-ring, (Fig. 4) may be made self-retaining, since the angle formed at the point 5 by the lines h, f, is normally less than a right-angle when the parts are organized as here illustrated. The same features are also indicated by the direction of the divergence of lines 7', t, which in Fig. at are drawn about tangential to the inner atc es bearing-surfaces of the cap of the points 3 and 2 respectively. Thus the tangential .disk D, so that each segmental radially-disposed part, as F, of the crown-disk part of the cap M, becomes self-retaining on the bottle-top while bearing on both of said outer and inner zones of the sealing-disk.

In connection with the features of construction here described, other advantages are illustrated in Fig. 6, where the arrow 1' indicates the approximate direction of one of the principal lines of force, or stresses, as between the completely applied cap M and the bottle-face. On comparing this feature with the other figures as de-' scribed, it will be evident that the outer flange N being forced under the retaining face is by the usual setting die (not shown) applied in the direction of the arrow 7' (Fig. 3) operates to draw downwardly the whole. cap. This operation, however, after the compression, or downward movement, has reached the proper point as regards the zone 6 still draws down the outer portion of the cap-zone m shifts, or flexes this zone from approximately the initial position thereof in Fig. 3, to the final position thereof in Figs. 4 and 5. During such flexing of the cap to final position, the described descent of the par-.

tially re-formed' cap-zone m to position Fig. 5, naturally operates to flex,-or turn outwardly,the said concave wall or zone 10, so that this zone may be said to turn or may slightly revolve in an outward direction over and upon the inner compressionzone at n of the packing-member, while at the same time, the lower part, as at 2,

and largely balanced and opposed by a resistance in the direction 1' and against the bottle-face, at b, in that same part of the and and thereby circumference, thereby materially reducing the amount of the stress which otherwise would be transmitted across the cap and be there received on the outside of the bottleface, as herein further illustrated in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 7, l have shown a modified form of the closure which is more fully described,

in a general way, in my said copending apagainst only the lower part or zone -of the plication, but as herein shown the wall w, (Fig. 7 is. located lower down, thus corresponding with the .position and relations thereof in Figs. 3, 4 and 6. In Fig. 7, however, said wall w is shown of a relatively smaller diameter, thereby-providing for the insertion of a supplemental and narrow packing-ring, B, so arranged as to press the member'D directly against the particular bearing-zone 6 while itself bearing firmly inner surface of said wall w. This arrangement also provides for a low-pressure zone, in the nature of a spacelat s y'corresponding in position,and relatively in purpose, with the space S be prevented from changing the mode ofaction already described, of the clamp-ring portion of the cap M.

'The central disk-m of the capconstitutes one device or formv of means for preventing the stresses and pressures from deforming the cap-zone, w. The cap M, therefore, may besaid to comprise the inclined pressurezone 'w and an integral connection with the .tensioning-zone m lying outside of said pressure zone b and also connected with the central or concentric resistance-zone m which is located in'a position, orat a level,

considerably below said tensioning-zone.

When seen in a direction vertical, or normal, to a radial -plane,as, for instance in Fig.. 6, the cross-section-of the annular capzone E has, relatively, a hook-form and reaches over the three points or pressurelines 2, 3, and 5, as already explained. But,

usually and preferably, the cap will be formed of metal having some resiliency combined with a considerable resistance to deformation, so that in the applied .closure, the

desired torsional stress and sealing efl'ect can be maintained for long periods 'with slight if any impairment by the well-known tendency of ductile metals to slowly yield under a continued strain. These qualities of 'the metal and of the cap, in connection with zinclined wall w and the peculiar relations thereof, normally result, as I apprehend,

in the formation of some kind of functional focal point or axial line located at about the point 15 in Fig. 6, and with relation to which thefiexing-movementsbf the cap-zone seem I to occur in accordance with the illustration of such'movements in Fig. 8. For instance, should the cap be warmed and .thus be "slightly increased in diameter, the anchorage point 3 would normally moveslightly farther up; but this would permit'the entire outer zone to flex or rotate inwardly and so tend to maintain the sealing-effect on the l corner-zone 6 And in these movements of self-adjustment, asinvolved in subjecting the closure to a wide range of temperatures as necessary in the more recent commercial.

in Fig. 6. Thus the ring when arranged as here explained, mayv carry inwardly the upper portion of the cap,

sheet,

are'further developed as I will now more -within the clamping-zone E, (Fig. 4), be-

comes in a sense torsionally. deflected, or flexed, so that-when the attaching flange N is closedv under the lock-face is of the bottle, a pressure line will be; normally formed at about the point 3, Fig. 6, and will extend entirely around .theneck of the bottle. The

. said point, or line, 3, thus becomes, relatively a focal point or center, aroundwhich the.

torsional reaction naturally will tend to and also carry downwardly that portion within the zone w. These stresses or flexure-tendencies due to the described reverse fiexure produced during the setting opera tion, are diagrammatically indicated by. the curved arrow-lines and r in Fig. 6, and normally operate for holding the outer pack- .mg-zone 11, of the sealing-sheet D, in firm contacg with the bottle-face, and to hold the inclined inner-zone w of the cap firmly against the inner-zone n of the packingand thus hold this packing-zone pressed firmly against the zone 6 of the bottle-face. But the features here explained,

fully point out. 1

As seen in a plane radial to the closure.- as in the sectional views Figs. 4, 6,the' tangential direction of the inner zone a of the disk D, is shown by the line t to be in a direction transverse to the tangential di- .rection of the outer zone n of said disk; this is also. shown by the line '0, Fig. 6, where said inner and outer packing zones are also shown separated by an annular low-pressure zone, at S extending from said outer zone, n inwardly to the upper line, at a, of said resistance-wall 'w. I

In the diagram Fig. 6, the three points 2,.

3 and 5 are shown in such a triangular relation that a functional focal point, (or axial- 120.

line as regards the described torsional -a ction), located atabout the polnt I5, Wlll have the same relation, substantially, to each of the bearing-zone b 'ancLb since said point 15 is located at theintersection of the 12 lines 1 and m, which are normal to hnes t and v, at about said points 2 and 5, respectively. Said lines If and o, are therefore about tangential to the high compression areas a and M, of the sealing-disk D. In 13" the diagram, it will be seen now the tangential line t of said corner-zone compressionarea 01 may be so located that a line, as y, drawn normal to said line t at the point 2, will pass, when extended, well above the anchorage-point 3, so that a circular-arc (not shown) passing through the three said points 2, 5 and 3, may have an arc-length greater than 180 degrees, and thereby make any radial-zone portion, as F, of the cap M to be normally self-retaining on the bottletop. Thus as shown in said diagram and in the sectional views, it may be said that in the fully applied closure, the annular packing-zone, as W, of the packing disk D, is diametrically supported against said in clined wall w,-which for this function acts as a resistance-wall,and that the closure has the several members thereof arranged for forming a relatively low-pressure zone which is located over a medial-zone of the packing-face of the bottle, and between two concentric high-pressure bearing-zones in which the high-compression areas, (as seen in a plane that is radial to the closure), have a transverse direction, each relatively to the other.

The self-retaining feature of said circumferential zones F,each considered by itself,is accomplished by so constructing and combining the several members and their coacting details, that the three points 2, 3, and 5 are located at the angles of a triangle which is formed by the described lines 4, g,'h, and which has each the said angles thereof less than a right-angle; and, it should be noted, this feature of the segment F is combined with the stabilized form and support of the ring-like outer portion of the cap M, as described in connection with Fig. 9.

The curve or bend indicated at b in the bottle-top and inner surface cap-zone w is arranged in a non-conforming shape or relation, or both, for thereby bringing into ac .tion a peculiar stress or resilient mode of action, whereby the circuit of attachment, at 3, holds the outer clamp-zone m so far downwardly as to also press downwardly the inner-zone 'w, by a kind of torsional movement of the clamp ring or crowndisk of the cap. In Fig. 6, I have indicated this mode ofaction in an approximate manner, by the curved arrow-lines r and r which are drawn as circular arcs about a point, 15, which in practice should be assumed as being at about the center of the outer zone n and the lower zone or line where the cap is anchored, so to speak, under the retaining flange, is, of the bottletop. The described torsional movement is also further shown by the position of" the entire clamp-zone, as indicated in Fig. 3, where said inner-zone is less elevated in relation to the zone m than is shown in Fig. 4;.

scribed non-conforming relation to the inner surface of said wall w.

The annular crown-disk may be regarded as comprising all that part of the cap M which is located within the annular-zone E, and as being provided on the outer circumference thereof with some suitable bottleengaging or attaching means, as the depending flange N, which may constitute the reta1ning means whereby to removably attach the cap to one of the bottles to which the caps, in any given instance, are to beepplied. The inner portion or zone, as w,

of said annular zone E, is shaped ail d arranged for constituting a combined resistancewall and packing-wall which is located withthe transverse section thereof located in an inclined position, and in a position so that when applied to the bottle-top, the inner, or corner-zone,as 6 Fig. 6, of the top, will mold the sealing-disk, as D, into such conformity with a zone of said inclined cap-wall, as to form a highly perfect packing or seal. A further feature. of the packing-Wall w as shown in the drawing, is that the inner and lower edge, at 2 of said wall w is of a less diameter, while the upper and outer edge at a? is of a greater diameter than the said corner-zone ofthe bottles to which the caps are to be applied.

A further feature of the closure in the preferred form thereof herein shown, is that y the upwardly and outwardly inclined zone w is made of such a relative diameter and the inner surface thereof is located ins'ucha position relatively to the corner-zone b of the bottle-top, that the direct line of ac-, tion,-as the line 3 Fig. 6,-between said corner-zone and said inner surface, brings the sealing sheet-D against said inclined inner wall-surface along a lower portion or zone thereof with an intense force, or pressure, while a lesser pressure, if any, will normall be exerted against the zone at a, whic is contiguous to the space ,or lowpressure area or zone 8 e In the operation of applying the cap M to the bottle-top, as Wlll now be evident, the

taining N is forcedfrom its open position in Fig. 3 to its closed osition in Figs. 4:, 6,8, thereby fixin the istance between the points 3 and 5 see Fig. 6), and also making permanent the relation to the bottle to and to the disk. of the retaining rim is igs. 3, 4), and of all that portion of the cap M which is within said zone m In said cap-applying operation, however, that part of the cap which is within the zones m and w, is'forced down to a relatively lesser extent, so that that ortion of the material of the disk D which: is in contact with said face 6 of the bottle-top and the inner face of cap-zone w, is not nor+ mally subjected to so hi h a degree of pres sure as said outer dis -zone 12?. Accord ingly said disk-material at n is left (at the end of said cap-aflixing operation) in-a condition of only a partial condensation, but is held under a -constantly-act'ing and downwardly-acting stress orpressure due to the Y upwardly-flexed cap-zones m and m'f. This downward pressure tends, of course, to further and constantly compress said diskmaterial at n to a smaller thickness, andon any such reduction of thickness,which naturall must normally occur in course of .time,t en the cap-zone 'w follows down automatically to thereby maintain the required pressure-contact, and this is done Without in any way materially affecting the aforesaid outer-zone m of the disk, since the shift or-readjustment of position of the cap-zones m w, is chiefly, affected by the described torsional flexure of that annular 'ortion-of the cap. which is comprised in saitfzonem and which is in aerelatively stabilized condition.

The features and operations just de- ,scribed are specially and diagrammatically -a' point at or near 15,and thereby bring the inner zones of the cap 'to the lower position indicated by" the dotted lines at 25'.

Conversely, whenever,afte'r the cap is once fully applied,the disk-zone n sha'llbecome thickened,-the shifting of the zone 4 w1ll be 1n a reversed, 'or upward direction,

so that the position of the cap will then be more elevated, as indicated, for instance, by

the dotted lines at 35; these operations, of" course, are permitted and favored by theopen space ats and by the portion of relatively'uncondensed annular zone of packing materiallocated in the zone at, and between said zones of condensed pack ng material'at n and n However, during any such shiftings of the cap {from any one to another of said positions 25, 30, and 35, the firm grasp of the cap at points .3 andl5 remains practically constant and unchanged. -Thus the automatic regulation of the position of the cap-zone 'w relative to the bearing zone 6 is eflected without any substantial modification, and with no impairment, of'the packing, in the narrow zone at W, and so that the inward pull normally due to the pressure at n will be properly resisted (in the direc tions of the force-lines at k and g), by the cap bearing a ainst the bottle (at point and against t e highly condensed packing material at at .Such an upward shift or movement as above described, of said'zone '20, may be caused in some instances by an increaseof gas-pressure within the bottle,

' after the cap is applied. 1 e a reason of the outer-be'aring-zone the seahngedisk ez ztendi-nginwardly to and be tween theincllned resistance wall -'w and the Y corner-zone b of the bottle-top, the cap itself is thereby upheld so as to produce in thg annular crown-disk the torsional'stress required or proper for maintaining an effective sealing-pressure upon that part of the packing-member which is between said inclined wall and said corner-zone. In this particular organization of said members and features, the peculiar relation'of the said in- I cline wall inner-surfaceto the corner-zone 6 produces a molding-effect on the sealingdisk and in a narrow annular zone thereof, while the relatively conical form .of said wall w causes this part ofthe cap to operate after the manner of a forcing member for'depressing, by such molding action, the central portion of said sealing-disk and for wedging,

so to speak, the said annular zone of this disk, both downwardly upon and outwardly against'the surface of said corner-zone b When the central-zone ;-m ,of the cap is omitted, this'provides a relatively greater torsional flexureor rotative action, of. the

remaining portion under ie given stress. In I this case,- however, the tpackmg d sk D g should have a strength and I cientzfo'r holding any pressure within the stability sulfibottle or other container tofwhich'the closure 5 shall be so applied. Also, in some instances,

should it be desirable to reduce th i id I of'thez-ca at or along the outer line .12 of the centra zone, a row of holes may be made alongthat line; or, the metal at that line'f may be grooved or otherwise "reduced in i I p Also, if de-" sired, a, central portion of the diskv D, corthickness,- (not herein, shown) responding to or smaller than the saidcapzone m, may be omitted or removed. One

object of such aperforation' ofthe disk D,

is to increase the facility with whith the,

shape and'fit, p

zone n? thereof will be molded into. proper on the outer circumference thereof with a depending outerportion and arrangedfor engaging said cap-retaining means of the bottle-top, and provided on the inner circumference thereof with a, depending resistance wall consisting of a depending and conically-shaped sealing-pressure zone located in a osition above said corner-zone and having in the radial cross-section thereof a downwardly and inwardly inclined position, and having on the upper line thereof a diameter greater than the inner \diameter of said corner-zone, and a packing member consisting of a sealing disk having an outside diameter corresponding with said outer bearing-zone, and held impinged thereon by an outer zone of the cap, and also extending inwardl between said inclined resistance wall an said inner corner-zone, and thereby upholding the said resistance wall and producing a stress in the annular crowndisk for maintaining a sealing-pressure upon the packing member between said inclined wall and said corner-zone.

2. In a bottle closure of the class described, in combination, a bottle-top having an upper packing face and provided with capretaining means for engaging a closure-cap, and having in said upper face a pair of concentric bearing-zones comprising an 'outer bearing zone and a concentric and convex;

inner bearing-zone and which is separated from said outer zone by an intervening flat zone, of a metal closure-cap comprising an annular crown disk which is provided on the outer circumferencethereof with means for engaging said cap-retaining means of the bottle-top, and is provided on the inner circumference thereof with a depending and transversely non-convex zone in position directly above said inner bearing-zone and having in sectiona down Wardly and inwardly inclined position, and

= a packing member consisting of a scaling disk having an OlltSldG diameter corresponding with said outer bearing-zone, and held impinged thereon by an outer zone of the cap, and also extending inwardly between said inclined sealin -pressure zone and said inner corner-zone for thereby upholding the said inclined zone and producing a stress'in the annular crown-disk, and having the tan:

; rection thereof i sealing-pressure gential direction thereof in said corner-zone in a direction (in an axial plane of the closure) transverse to the tangential direction of said outer packing-zone.

3. In a bottle closure of the class described, in combination, a bottle-top having an upper packing face and provided with cap-retaining means for engaging a closure-cap, and having in said upper face a pair of concentric bearing-zones comprising an outer bearing-zone and a concentric and convex inner bearing zone, of a closure cap of resilient metal comprising an annular crown disk which is provided on the outer circumference thereof with means for engaging said cap-retaining means of the bottle-top, and is provided on the inner circumference thereof with a depending non-convex or'sealingpressure zone in position directly above said inner bearing-zone and having in section a downwardly and inwardly incllned position, and a packing member cons sting of a sealing disk having an outside diameter corresponding with said outer bearing-zone, and at its outer edge'held impinged thereon by an outer zone of the cap, and also extending inwardly between said inclined sealing-pressure zone and said inner corner-zone for thereby upholding the said sealing-pressure zone and producing astress in the annular crown-disk, and having the tangential didirection (in an axial plane of the closure) transverse to the tangential direction of said outer packing-zone, and having said outer and inner packing-zones of said packing-member separated by an annular lowzone inwardly to the upper line of said inclined zone.

x 4. In abottle closure of the class described, in combination, a bottle-top having an'uppe-r packing face and provided with cap-retaining means for engaging a closure-cap, and having in said upper face a pair of separate and concentric bearing-zones comprising an outer bearing-zone and a concentric and convex inner'bearing zone, of a metal closurecap comprising an annular crown disk which is provided on the outer circumference thereof with meansvfor engaging said capsaid corner-zone in -a pressure zone extending from said outer retaining means of the bottle-top, and is provided on the inner circumference thereof with a dependmg resistance wall having a non-convexpressure zone in position d1 rectly above said inner bearing-zone and having a downwardly and inwardly inclined ,position, and a packingmember consisting of a sealing disk having an outside diameter corresponding with said outer bearing-zone, and held impinged thereon by an outer zone of the cap, and also extending inwardly between said inclined resistance wall and said inner corner-zone for thereby upholding the sald resistance wall'and producing a stress packing-member separated by an annular low-pressure zone extending from said outer zone inwardly to the upper line of said resistance wall, the closure also having the tangential direction of the cap-retaining zone of the bottle-top inclining downwardly and inwardly relatively to said tangential direction (in said axial plane of the closure) of said corner-zone of the sealing disk, whereby each radially-disposed segmental part of the crown-disk becomes self-retaining on the bottle-top while bearing on both of said outer and inner zones of the sealing disk, substantially as set forth.

5. In a bottle closure of the class described, in combination, a bottle-top having an upper packing face and provided with cap-retaining means for engaging a metal closure-cap, and having in said upper face a pair of concentric bearing-zones comprising an outer.

bearing-zone and a concentric inner bearing zone which is a corner-zone, of a closure-cap of resilient metal and provided on the outer circumference thereof with means for engaging said cap-retaining means of the bottle-top, and also provided with a depending and conically-shaped combined resistance-.

wall and transversely non-convex sealingpressure zone located in a position directly above said corner-zone and in section having an inclined position, and having on the lower line thereof a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said corner-zone, and

a packing member consisting of a sealingdisk having an outside diameter corresponding with said outer bearing-zone, and held impinged thereon by said. sealing-pressure zone of the cap, and also extending inwardly between said inclined packing wall and said inner corner-zone, and thereby upholding the said resistance wall under a stress for maintaining an effective sealingepressure upon the packing member.

6. The herein described improvement in] caps for bottle-closures, it consisting in a metal-cap comprising an annular and torsionally-resilient crown-disk provided on amazes the outer circumference thereof with a depending outer flange having retaining means, and provided on the inner circumference thereof with a depending and concentrically located and conically-shaped sealing-pressure wall constituting a combined resistance-wall and packing 'wall which is located with the transversely nonconvex section thereof in an inclined position, and has the lower edge thereof of a diameter less, and the upper edge thereof of a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the innercorner-zone of the bottle faces to which the cap is to 'be applied, in combination with a sealing-disk having an outside diameter corresponding with the inside diameter of said outer flange and extendingunder said inclined wall, and consisting of a material moldable by compression without lateral fiowage into conformity with a zone of said well when'the cap is applied to the bottle-top.

7, The herein described improvement in caps for bottle-closures,jit consisting in a metal-cap comprising an annular and torsionally-resilient crown-disk provided on the outer circumference thereof with a depending outer flange having retaining means, and provided on the inner circumference thereof with a depending and concentrically located and conically shaped sealing-pressure wall constituting a combined resistance-wall and transversely nonconvex packing-wall and which is located with the transverse section thereof in an in-' clined position, and has the lower edge thereof of a diameter less, and the upper edge thereof of a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the inner packing-zone of the bottle faces to which the cap is to be applied, in combination with a sealing-disk of uniform initial thickness throughout and having an outside diameter corresponding with the inside diameter of said outer flange and extending under said inclined wall, and consisting of a material moldable by compression without lateral flowage into conformity with a non-convex zone of said wall when the cap is applied to. the bottle-top.

WILLIAM GASTON.

Witnesses:

THOMAS J. WALL, "NANCY R. CI mo. 

